Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon 750ML

Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Double Gold at the 2024 Whiskies of the World competition and a Platinum medal at the 2024 ASCOT Awards, reinforcing its reputation as a standout value bourbon shaped by its unique aging position within the warehouse.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43% (86 Proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon (NAS)  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, has operated continuously on the same site for over two centuries — its origins trace back to 1775, making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in America. Benchmark Top Floor is distilled using Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1, the same corn-forward recipe behind several of the distillery's flagship expressions, and matured in new charred American oak barrels. What distinguishes this particular bottling is its aging location: barrels stored on the upper floors of Buffalo Trace's multi-story rickhouses experience greater temperature swings and higher ambient heat, which accelerates the interaction between spirit and wood, pulling deeper oak character and concentration into the whiskey.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with gentle honey and brown sugar sweetness before moving into baking spice — cinnamon, fennel — and a layer of toasted oak. A faint charred wood note sits beneath, grounding the sweeter aromatics.

Taste: On the palate, butterscotch and soft caramel arrive first, giving way to light citrus and apricot at mid-palate. As the bourbon develops, toasted oak and a measured warmth from cinnamon spice build toward the peak, with subtle pineapple brightness adding complexity.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length, drying gently into tobacco leaf, leather, and oak char. A whisper of peppercorn lingers alongside residual vanilla sweetness.

How to Drink Top Floor

Neat or with a single ice cube allows the top-floor aging character — that extra layer of oak depth and butterscotch richness — to express itself fully. A few drops of water can open up the lighter citrus and apricot notes hiding beneath the oak. For cocktails, consider these three:

• Old Fashioned — The brown sugar and baking spice notes complement the cocktail's sugar and bitters foundation without getting lost.
• Bourbon Sour — Light citrus and apricot character in the spirit harmonize naturally with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
• Manhattan — The toasted oak and vanilla backbone holds its own against sweet vermouth, adding structure without excessive heat at 86 proof.

Best For

• Exploring how warehouse aging position shapes bourbon flavor
• Building a home bar with a versatile, award-winning Kentucky bourbon
• Introducing friends to Buffalo Trace's extended Benchmark lineup
• Mixing consistently balanced Old Fashioneds at home

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Top Floor taste like? Benchmark Top Floor delivers butterscotch, soft caramel, and light citrus on the palate, followed by toasted oak and cinnamon spice, finishing with leather, tobacco, and subtle peppercorn.

How does Top Floor compare to Evan Williams Black Label? Both occupy a similar value tier of Kentucky bourbon, but Top Floor leans more heavily into oak character and dry, tobacco-tinged finish due to its upper-floor aging, while Evan Williams Black Label tends to deliver slightly more pronounced caramel notes and a marginally longer finish.

Is Top Floor good for sipping neat? At 86 proof, Top Floor is approachable enough to sip neat without excessive burn, and its oak-driven complexity rewards slow tasting — though a single ice cube can unlock additional fruit notes.

Where is Top Floor made? Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States, with roots stretching back to the late 18th century.

What foods pair well with Top Floor? Smoked brisket highlights the bourbon's oak and leather notes. Pecan pie mirrors its butterscotch and brown sugar sweetness. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the caramel richness. Grilled stone fruit, especially peaches, echoes the apricot mid-palate. Dark chocolate with sea salt brings out the cinnamon and vanilla undertones.

What sizes does Top Floor come in? Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Top Floor worth the price? Benchmark Top Floor positions as an entry-level bourbon in terms of price, but its 2024 Double Gold at Whiskies of the World and Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition place it well above expectations for its value tier — it consistently punches above its weight class.

Why Top Floor?

The distinguishing factor here is literal: barrels aged on the highest floors of Buffalo Trace's rickhouses endure the most extreme temperature cycling, drawing more flavor from the charred oak and concentrating the spirit in ways lower floors simply cannot replicate. That single variable — vertical position within the warehouse — produces a bourbon with noticeably more oak depth and dry complexity than other Benchmark expressions. A sweep of 2024 awards, including Double Gold at Whiskies of the World and Platinum at ASCOT, confirms this is not just a marketing story but a measurable difference in the glass. For drinkers curious about how aging conditions influence flavor, Top Floor is one of the most accessible and affordable entry points available.